|
LEGISLATIVE NEWS & RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSPEOPLE
RHODE ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COALITION INFO
The East Providence Area Chamber is a member of the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Coalition with ten other chambers of commerce. It is the largest business advocacy organization in the state; representing 6,500+ businesses. "The Coalition" is represented by a lobbyist at the Rhode Island State House.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated: October 24, 2011
The Chamber will be represented at the Rally for Rhode island Pension Reform on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Join us if you are in favor of Rhode Island Pension Reform.
The Pension Crisis is About All of Us.
Our state pension system is underfunded by $7 billion - that's $7,000 for every man, woman and child in this state. We have to fix this problem - and fast.
Thankfully, state leaders have called a special session of the Rhode Island General Assembly for October 2011. The General Assembly will meet to discuss a plan put forward by Governor Lincoln Chafee and Treasurer Gina Raimondo that will institute the reforms needed to put the retirement system back on track.
Because this is an "everybody" issue, we believe that everybody should engage. We encourage you to contact your legislators and let them know that we need a solution for everybody -- workers, taxpayers, retirees and our children
Click here for more information.
--------------------------------------------
Updated: July 1, 2011
Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators regarding the teachers contract binding arbitration bill. Your efforts stopped this bill from going forward. Thank you, Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox, and the senators and representatives who opposed this bill.
Updated: April 18, 2011
Thank You to all of the business people who showed up at the RI State House, contacted their legislators and opposed the Governor's 2012 budget proposal.
A list of 175 people signed up to testify, along with hours of testimony on April 13, that resulted in the chairman of the House Finance Committee informing the Governor that the budget proposal was unacceptable and would not be approved.
Call for Action! April 2011
Chamber members and the business community are encouraged to voice their opposition to Governor Chafee's 2012 budget proposal and tax reform.
Click here for a copy of the proposed 2011 budget.
Click here for a list of products and services that would affected if the tax proposals are approved.
------------------------------------
2011 Rhode Island General Assembly
Click here for contact information: district, party affiliation, name, mailing address, phone # and email
--------------------------------------
Through the Chamber's partnership with the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Coalition, we are able to provide an important resource for our members. Click on this link www.rhodeislandbusinessvotes.com and read up on Rhode Island's current priorities and in just a few mouse clicks, contact your elected officials to let them know your opinion. Click on the e-advocates Action Center for the contact information for all Rhode Island legislators.
-------------------------------------
Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Coalition
Click on this logo to the business community's one stop political action, education and involvement tool!
The East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a partner in the
Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Coalition with ten other chambers of commerce. It is the largest business advocacy organization in Rhode Island and represents 6,500 businesses.
-----------------------
Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Coalition Background
The Chamber of Commerce Coalition is an expansion of a lobbying partnership that began in 1996. At that time, the Northern Rhode Island and Central Rhode Island chambers formed a partnership that provided the opportunity to combine the member voices of both chambers in a lobbying effort.
The Coalition was formed as the chambers recognized that Rhode Island needed an advocate at the State House to speak for the interests of business. While laws impact both large and small companies, most business owners and managers don’t have time to attend committee hearings and offer testimony on proposed legislation. By having their chambers of commerce act as their voice, company officials can easily have a say in the business of government. By unifying chambers throughout the state, the voice of business becomes louder and stronger.
The Coalition has grown in strength and numbers over the past eight years, expanding to represent ten chambers in Rhode Island and more than 6,500 businesses.
Structure
A Government Affairs Committee, made up of representatives from each of the ten chambers, governs the Chamber of Commerce Coalition. Each chamber has three voting position on the Government Affairs Committee, plus the Chief Executive from each Chamber. The chair of the committee is David Darlington, president of Gildea-Darlington Group.
The Government Affairs Committee establishes the Legislative Agenda one month prior to the start of the new legislative session, for ratification by the respective Chambers of Commerce. The Government Affairs Committee also makes policy recommendations on issues that are forwarded to the various Chambers for their review. In order to respond quickly to issues, the Government Affairs Committee is fully empowered by the respective Chambers to determine Chamber positions on issues and take action on them.
In the event the Chamber of Commerce Coalition adopts a legislative position that is in conflict with any partner Chamber(s), the Chamber of Commerce Coalition will not testify on behalf of said partner Chamber(s) and will note the difference of opinion for the record.
The Chamber Coalition works because of the respect that the participating Chambers have for each other, and their needed autonomy. The two lobbyists for the Chamber Coalition are: John C. Gregory, President/CEO of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and David R. Carlin, III, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
Past Successes and Future Plans
The Chamber of Commerce Coalition has been a forceful presence before the Rhode Island General Assembly, but may be called one of the State’s “best kept secrets” from the public at large.
Among lobbying successes in the past several years, the Coalition was active in supporting:
- A four-year effort resulting in historic changes to the State Retirement laws, resulting in millions of dollars in savings to the state and municipalities.
- House legislation requiring cities and towns to use the IRS Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) schedule when assigning a depreciation schedule for assessment of tangible property tax.
- Legislation permitting Health Savings Accounts in Rhode Island.
- The November 2004 voter approved Rhode Island State Constitutional Amendment on Separation of Powers in state government.
- The restoration of workforce development dollars to January 2004 status.
The Coalition also was active in helping to prevent:
The repeal of Historic Preservation Tax Credits legislation
- Legislation adding a 7 percent sales tax to the sale of newspapers and newspaper advertisements.
- An additional 1 percent or 2 percent state income tax on certain state earned income.
- Legislation amending the antitrust rules and permitting independent contractor childcare providers to form a union and negotiate collectively with the state.
- Legislation subjecting regulated industries to class action suits.
Now, as the Coalition grows in strength and number to become the largest lobbying voice for business in Rhode Island, Coalition members invite companies throughout the state to join their local Coalition member and become part of this group that is working to make Rhode Island a better state in which to do business.
Phone: 401-438-1212
Fax: 401-435-4581
For more information, please contact the
East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce.
office@eastprovchamber.com
Home |
Awards | Mission |
Benefits | Events |
Directors | Committees |
Links
Maintained and Hosted By
ProProductsWebDesign.com |
| |
|
